The event recognised the critical role women play in the agricultural sector and  their increasing contribution to major decision making.

“A lot of what we see is women working with financial advisors, accountants, doing research online, like with manufacturers and dealers to understand some of the new equipment on the market,”  managing director, asset finance corporate banking solutions at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Bronwyn Yam said. 

“They also help make decisions around ‘Is it time to replace equipment, stretch out the assets’. That’s what we see as the role of females in the agri-space.” 

The event focused on women who are running farms for their career, women working in the agricultural business sector and wives or partners who are supporting their husbands in the home office, including the accounting, liaising with financial advisors, looking at tax structuring and then doing research.

“Their role is very important. They need to understand and be aware of what is happening in the market and the industry, not only in their own operations and from the equipment perspective – it’s important to understand new trends coming along in assets,” Ms Yam said.

“Right now we’re seeing a huge trend in terms of people exploring what the energy efficiencies and technologies and innovation equipment is that can help their farm to operate more efficiently, cut costs and get a better outcome and better productivity.”

Guest speakers at the event were manager of marketing and business relationships at TAFE New England Melinda McDonald and Jenny Bailey who is a rural reporter, author and cattle producer.

The MC was Isobel Knight who last year took out the NSW Rural Woman of the Year award.

“The message is about honouring their contribution to rural Australia and the important role they play,” Mrs Knight said.

“Women are so important in partnerships in business whereas a generation ago it was all about their home duties.”